Method and apparatus for attaching a fluid cell to a planar substrate

A fluidic cell comprising

• a support body having a receiving surface for an assay substrate, a recessed area having a depth located within said receiving surface, a mesa located within said recessed area, wherein said mesa is configured to have a height that is less than the depth of said recessed area and at least two fluidic ports;
• an assay substrate in connection with said receiving surface;
• and
• a compressible layer located between said support body and said assay substrate, wherein said compressible layer is located around said mesa, wherein said compressible layer is configured to define the side walls of said fluidic cell and provide a seal around said mesa when said support body and said assay substrate are connected, wherein the difference between said depth of said recessed area and said height of said mesa is the height of said fluidic cell,
• wherein the mesa is integral with and of the same material as the support body, wherein said assay substrate is selected from sensor microchips, genomic arrays, or proteomic arrays.